We all scroll mindlessly through the internet, taking in some things and ignoring others. But what do you do when something grabs your attention? You stop scrolling and message the person who made the post! Meet Seimon Pugh Jones.
Thank you for joining me, Seimon. Can you share some information on yourself?
My name is Seimon Pugh Jones, hailing from the ancient town of Carmarthen, nestled in the heart of Wales, where I first drew breath in 1966. Since then, I’ve remained rooted in this land, its beauty capturing my heart and soul for as long as I can remember. I find myself spilling the stories of Wales to anyone within earshot
The weather tends to veer different ways, with dark, damp winter months that seem to stretch on, I’ve come to appreciate these seasons as a ‘thinking season’. However, as someone who thrives on light, be it for capturing moments through the lens of my camera or getting stuck into my art, I confess a partiality for the vibrancy of spring, summer, and autumn.
As the days lengthen and the promise of warmer weather beckons, I am eagerly anticipating embarking upon new creative endeavours.
What was your early life like?
I was a hopeless student in school. Described by my English teacher a ‘Being at Sea’. I failed in many subjects. I was good in art, and I could run fast. My art teacher Wynford Nicholas was an amazing teacher and introduced me to photography. It was in 1983 that he recommended me to the local art college, where I was accepted on the photography course
It seems that expressing yourself through visual mediums was prevalent from an early age.
Yes, it was. Later in life I realised that I suffered from ADHD. I knew I was dyslexic and struggled with spelling and absorbing information. Photography made total sense. I wanted my pictures to do all the talking for me.
I left art college in 1985 and had no idea where I was going next. I had done local newspaper work, portraits, and a few weddings at this point. I’d also done a fair amount of ‘Welsh Bands’ for a Welsh pop magazine. Being a drummer, I loved taking pictures of bands, they became my primary interest. I loved interacting with people, so portraits and press pictures I found interesting
The Ministry of Defence
Having done a couple of part time jobs I found myself working for the Ministry of Defence here in Wales. I spent eleven years doing High-Speed photography. Technically very challenging, rarely creative, but I got to fly in helicopters and go on boats, so that was fun. The most interesting job was to photograph a scale model of Thrust Supersonic car, capturing shock waves. It still holds the land-speed record.
TV and Film
My photographer job with the MoD was under threat and I decided that I was more than happy to take a payoff and leave. At this point I’d already started taking pictures for our Welsh TV Channel.
TV Cameraman
Due to my interest in World War II artefacts and history, I’d been to Normandy to photograph the 50th anniversary of D-Day for “After the Battle” and had also done several documentaries for the History Channel. Then I got the job I really wanted, TV Cameraman. Maybe not that glamorous when working for the lowest budget TV channel that probably ever existed, however a fantastic learning curve.
World War II re-enactment
My other hobby (interest) was re-enactment. US army WW2 to be precise. Something that I’d always been interested in. I guess initially it was simply because of Airfix kits and Hollywood movies.
I got interested in the social history too and later discovered that the GI’s were stationed all over Wales. Through reenactment I had gathered a circle of friends who all did this as a hobby and worked in movies. This connection opened a few doors, little did I know where to!
Saving Private Ryan
I was lucky enough to spend a couple of weeks on Saving Private Ryan. Nothing glamorous, off-loading lorries of wet sandy webbing. We got to wander the set and the departments. I was even in one scene that unfortunately was cut. Despite this, I had the best of times. I had no idea what was around the corner though.
Rumours…. Band of Brothers
Back to the day job, more documentaries for the History Channel, more Welsh TV stuff. Drumming for a Welsh band that was doing ok, life was full of creativity. Then the reenactment guys heard a rumour. Spielberg and Hanks were going into production with a new series. It was called ‘Band of Brothers.
I’d already visited before filming started. My job was shooting reference pictures for the webbing department. I passed David Schwimmer in the corridor and saw Steven Spielberg being driven around the set. The buzz was getting louder, it was going to be something special. The first day of filming I’ll never forget. On set at North Weald at 4am, helping in the webbing department. By 8am we’d done our bit and was at a loose end. Just soaking up the view and creating memories of the most special kind. It was at this point an almost throw away comment change my life forever.
What does a GI cameraman wear?
My dear friend (and no longer with us) costume guy Joe Hobbs just happened to ask me “what a GI cameraman would have worn and used in this first scene?” I answered, “Well I have it all in the boot of the car”. I was told to get dressed, get a haircut, and get down on set. I turned up. surrounded by hundreds of extras, vehicles, aircraft, and crew. I clutched my 16mm vintage clockwork Filmo movie camera. It wasn’t long when the first Assistant Director approached me and asked if I had film for the camera. I had. He asked if I would shoot some sequences of the scenes. I was delighted! I had gone from webbing department to supporting actor to ‘cameraman’ within an hour or so. For the rest of the day, I directed and shot little cameos, knowing that I could do just that without fear of being told off. The day came to and end, the films were given to the AD, and we were off back to Wales.
Back on set
It was a few weeks later that I found myself back in Hatfield helping in the webbing department again. I was standing in the ‘fake snowy forest’ when a cameraman came up to me. He said, “You’re the guy who shot the 16mm footage, aren’t you?” Well, I was a little concerned, maybe I shouldn’t have done it?? He continued. “You haven’t heard, have you?” It turned out that Spielberg and Hanks believed that the footage I shot was undiscovered colour archive. The production team had played a joke. For me, well it was the most amazing moment.
The late great art director Alan Tomkins had also seen the footage and loved it. We were introduced and later in life became great friends. He said, “There’s a part in episode seven for a film crew. Ill see if I can get it for you.” So, in episode seven, my dear friend Alan Hauseman played the stills photographer, and I shot more footage on my Filmo. It was cut into the series.
Ambitions and aeroplanes
The same week, I fulfilled another amazing lifelong ambition. A history channel documentary was being shot on the P51 Mustang aircraft. I had got on so well with the director that when it came to the flying sequence, he offered me the back seat.
I flew in the most historical P51 that does the shows. Her name was ‘Miss Helen’ and I shot 45mins pretending to fly her.
Archives and a chance telephone call
My Welsh TV job came to an end, and I found myself working in the Welsh film archive for 18months. This was tough for me, dark room, going through feet and feet of archive footage, it wasn’t for me. I knew I didn’t enjoy it, but we have to pay the bills!
Then completely out of nowhere I had a telephone call from Texas. The voice on the phone said, “We’ve seen your work; we want you to come work for us.”
I was to become staff photojournalist for the new ‘ Armchair General Magazine.
Armchair General Magazine
This was a new chapter, literally. I’d done a lot of magazine work, many cover shots, book covers too…
However, this was going to take me to a different level. My boss was Eric Weider, son and nephew to Ben and Joe Weider, the fitness guys based out in California. I was to be a photojournalist for a brand-new magazine called Armchair General. Eric was a great boss and just let me get on with things. Although my ADHD has its difficult times, super focus and attention to detail is my superpower. I immersed myself in the job and had four amazing years from it. I provided historical colour reconstructions for several departments within the magazine and website
What next?
I met an old MoD colleague who lived in Laughgarne. South Wales. (Dylan Thomas country) We put on a 1940’s dance and WW2 exhibition at the township. It was a huge success. On the back of the success, I decided to build a museum. I did this for eight years with virtually no pay. Unfortunately, during this time, the museum was forced to close by the landlord.
It was time to rethink. We looked at a new site in Cydweli (Kidwelly) and eventually after a few years were given permission to build. However, the hard truth was that we were still in need of a million pounds. As well as that, the land was not quite what we hoped it to be, so this project has been placed on the back burner for now.
Fathers, sons, and ideas
Last September my 81-year-old father who is also an amputee realised we needed a project. I came up with the idea of a mobile museum. We eventually found a 16ft Car trailer and proceeded to build a tin shed on it. It represents my Great Grandmothers Zinc bakery she built in 1914.
The opposite side will have two doors that reveal a stage area. Exhibits, music, theatre, art, and photography will eventually be displayed here. It could even be used as a mobile cinema. The plan is to take it to schools, associations, shows and events here in Wales, and later further afield.
Spreading the word
Two weeks ago, we spent the day filming with the popular UK show Bargain Hunt. I was interviewed and chatted about D-Day, vintage cameras and how I was involved in Band of Brothers. The perfect first outing.
The first exhibition is planned from the 27th of May to 7th of June on a local site in Cydweli called Parc y Box. It’s owned by local businessman and entrepreneur John Burns MBE BVMS MRCVS.
The area is perfect for our first proper display as the fields provided a site for the 28th Infantry Division and later the 2nd Infantry Division of the US Army prior to D-day. Both played a major part in the invasion of Europe. The 28th were also featured in an episode of Band of Brothers, which makes it even more special for me.
To sum up, Operation Bolero (The friendly invasion of the GIs in Britain) and Band of Brothers exhibition to coincide with the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings this coming June. After that, who knows. The TV show Bargain Hunt goes out on the 6th of June here in the UK. I anticipate a lot of interest for our mobile museum and the history that we will be able to bring to you.
If you’d like to support us in getting the show on the road, we have a crowdfunding page. Any amount, large or small will help.
My Projects – Seimon Pugh-Jones (crowdfunder.co.uk)
To quote one of my most favourite movie lines.
“If you build it, they will come”,
Well, we’ve built it, and it’s coming to you.
